Expect to add a couple minutes for whole wheat spaghetti

Yes, whole wheat spaghetti usually needs a few more minutes in the pot than the refined stuff.

The fiber in whole wheat flour absorbs water more slowly, so the pasta takes longer to soften. It also holds a firmer, chewier bite — which some people mistake for undercooking. That’s not a mistake; it’s just how whole wheat behaves.

Most packages tell you to boil for 10–12 minutes for whole wheat vs. 8–10 for traditional semolina. I’d start checking at the low end of the range anyway, because brands vary wildly. A minute or two makes a big difference between perfect and mush.

Taste as you go — that’s the real test, not the timer.